Then: Canal Street

IMMIGRATION IN CHINATOWN

by Joanna

     Manhattan’s Chinatown, an enclave for Chinese immigrants in New York City, has a rich history. Chinese immigrants began to settle in New York during the 1860’s and 70’s, around Mott Street, just south of Canal Street. The Chinese were not greeted warmly, some described as individuals “peddling ‘awful’ cigars at three cents apiece from little stands…offering a paper spill and a tiny oil lamp as a lighter” (Harlow). Many worked as “cigar men” or billboard carriers during this time period. Ah Ken, whom many believe to be the first Chinese immigrant to have settled in New York, kept a small boarding house on Mott Street in 1858, renting out bunks to Chinese immigrants arriving in Chinatown. Some say that Chinatown was centered around his Park Row smoke shop, and that he facilitated the growth of Chinatown.

Chinatown, New York City Frederick, Pohl. "Tong Guide to Chinatown, New York." The Way the Future Blogs. Web. http://www.thewaythefutureblogs.com/2011/04/tong-guide-to-chinatown-new-york/

 

     Many Chinese males resided in Chinatown during these years, leaving behind their wives back home in the hopes of gaining wealth and returning back to their native land shortly afterwards. These men were roughly between the ages of 20 and 50 and faced blatant racism in New York City. Because of discrimination, the area became a refuge for Chinese immigrants. Due to growing violence against them on the West Coast, Chinese immigrants also emigrated to New York from other parts of the country, seeking employment opportunities. In the city, they worked mostly in laundromats and restaurants. By 1870, there was a population of 200 Chinese immigrants in New York City. By 1900 that number had grown to over 7000.

"Postcard circa 1940s (on Mott St. facing north)." Elizabeth Ng, Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) Collection Ann Marie, Awad. "From Coffeehouses to Banquet Halls: The Changing Face of Manhattan's Chinatown." City Spoonful. Web. http://www.cityspoonful.com/from-coffeehouses-to-banquet-halls-ctown/

     Walking through Chinatown in the late 30’s and early 40’s, one was surrounded by importing houses and groceries. They offered “a wide variety of goods…neatly stacked in the windows [were] Chinese vegetables (grown on Long Island)” ranging from “blanched bean sprouts” to “young pods of peas” (Guide). Additionally one could see a variety of meats hanging from hooks, such as smoked squid and shark fin. Decorative items were abundant in Chinatown stores: “hexagonal and fluted green bowls, native spoons of China town, simple brown paper fans…kites shaped like butterflies or dragons, wooden flutes…” (Guide). In Chinatown, a plethora of goods are sold including jewelry, books, brushes, drugs, and spices, among other items.

     The myth existed that Chinatown was an area of mystery and crime (perpetuated by the tales told to tourists frequenting the district); tourists were even cautioned by guides to “‘hold hands while walking through the narrow streets'” (Guide). In actuality, Chinatown was one of the safest districts in New York City during the Great Depression. Chinatown was a bustling area with a ten-cent movie house and a bounty of restaurants serving heavenly dishes. If there was only one reason to visit Chinatown back then, it would be the “delicious soups,” and other “exotic delicacies” (Guide).
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1. Harlow, Alvin F. Old Bowery Days: The Chronicles of a Famous Street. New York and London: D. Appleton & Company, 1931. (pg. 392)
2. Federal Writer’s Project. New York City: Vol 1, New York City Guide. New York: Octagon Books, 1939.
3 Hemp, William H. New York Enclaves. New York: Clarkson M. Potter, 1975. (pg. 6)
4 Moss, Frank. The American Metropolis from Knickerbocker Days to the Present Time. London: The Authors’ Syndicate, 1897. (pg. 403)
5 Tchen, John Kuo Wei. New York Before Chinatown: Orientalism and the Shaping of American Culture, 1776–1882. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. (pg. 82–83)